For over a decade, PARCA has documented the role of court costs as they exist at the intersection of public Read the full release.
Joint Interim Court Cost Study Commission Recommends Standardization, Transparency, and Reform to “Patchwork” System of Fees
SNAP Error is Not SNAP Fraud
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, helps people with low incomes buy food. Read the full release.
Special Congressional Primary Continues Trend of Declining Political Participation in Alabama
Only 5% of registered voters in the Alabama Congressional Districts holding elections last week cast ballots, producing one of the Read the full release.
PARCA Research Wins National Awards
Last week, members of the PARCA team traveled to Chicago for the Governmental Research Association’s (GRA) annual conference, where policy Read the full release.
Local Court Fee Increases Associated with Increased Jail Detention, New Research Finds
New research led by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) and MDRC indicates that each additional $100 in Read the full release.
Alabama Sees Third-Grade Reading Progress Slow
After multiple years of progress, Alabama third grade reading performance plateaued in 2026, with 11.8% of students scoring under the Read the full release.
Graduation and Readiness Rates Continue to Rise
Seniors in the graduating class of 2025 set records on two measures: 93% of seniors graduated on time four years Read the full release.
Cities in the north, south, and east grow fastest; Central cities continue to see population flow to suburbs
Growth moderated across most of Alabama cities in 2025 according to new population estimates for Alabama cities. Printable PDF available Read the full release.
How a Change in Federal Regulations Could Threaten Life-Saving Progress in Alabama’s Opioid Crisis
PARCA’s 2026 Annual Forum, “From Crisis to Collaboration: How Data, Policy, and Partnership Saved Lives in Alabama,” spotlighted the Read the full release.
Primary Election: Proposed Statewide Amendments Analysis
Beyond the Democratic and Republican primary elections scheduled for May 19, voters will decide the fate of two statewide amendments Read the full release.